Thoughts on things that matter for time and eternity…

After the Storm…

My heart is beating fast as I write this blog entry due to the stress that the storm Ondoy caused a lot of people in our country, including myself and my family. Unfortunately, we were in the middle of it all.

I couldn’t believe it was happening. I got text messages from my friend telling me that water was quickly rising in their home and that they were moving their things upstairs. I looked outside our window and although it was raining hard, the street where we lived on seemed fine with no trace of flooding. I turned to my son who was then watching a DVD movie and told him that my friend needed help and that I didn’t feel right sitting comfortably dry at home while my friend’s family was struggling to save their things. In my heart I knew we had to go and extend whatever help we could give.

So off we went, armed with just our umbrellas and willingness to assist. We decided to leave our car in the parking lot and take public transportation to avoid driving through the flood. To our surprise—after we got off the first leg of the trip—people were already wading through knee-deep water inside the subdivision where my friend lived because no transportation was available. I looked at my son and when I saw the sense of adventure in his 13-year-old eyes, I knew there was no turning back for both of us.

We waded through the flood for a few blocks under the rain until we saw four men riding an inflatable bed who agreed to give us a ride to my friend’s house. I held my umbrella on my right hand while I tried to keep myself on the inflated bed with my left. I think those men were heaven-sent! 🙂 We didn’t have to wade through the flood the entire stretch and we arrived at my friend’s flooded home ala-Cleopatra! 🙂

As most people in the world already know, the storm didn’t stop and it poured a record-breaking amount of rainfall that eventually flooded our own village and put our home and car under water. We didn’t get to see it happen in our neighborhood because we got stranded at my friend’s place. We watched from their second floor window how the water went from knee-deep to waist-deep until half of the van parked in front of their house was submerged in water. As electricity was cut-off, we relied on text messages to find out how other friends and strangers went through the ordeal themselves. Many lost their homes, some their lives.

As I contemplated on the things that happened and the effects that this storm had on so many lives, I cannot help but feel blessed that we are now safe. Although we have lost a lot of things, I know that those things can easily be replaced. But what stood out most in my heart was the overwhelming kindness of people as they extended their arms and hands to help their fellowmen in need. How people put aside their own comforts to embrace those that need support in all aspects. How individuals went out of their ways to ease the burdens of another. Human kindness was overflowing and it touched my heart deeply.

I’d like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to those who have extended help to us in any way during this trying time. My heart is filled with gratitude for you. I will not forget the sacrifices you’ve made and the kindness you’ve shown. Thank you so very much from the very bottom of my heart.

As I am reading today’s newspapers here in Vienna, the headlines are boldly printed “DIE ERDE BEBTE EINE MINUTE LANG”, which means, the earth quaked one long minute…and this happened in Samoa, Jakarta in Indonesia , a few hours away from Manila. And not only that, the”SUNAMI” followed suit after an hour or 2, killing hundreds and destroying private and personal properties of thousands. In the midst of our calamities and sufferings, we should console ourselves that we are not alone, that anywhere , anyhow, some other people are suffering MORE and/or having the same trouble , if not more than what we have. And reading Mathew Chapter 24 verses 3-14 would reveal that all these pestilences, and troubles must come to pass before the second coming…and all we’ve got to do is to prepare ourselves to face Him in any day and in any hour by repenting and asking God for forgiveness of our sins, forgive ourselves TOO, and others for the tresspasses committed against us, and to do what you rightly did, forgetting yourself and be of service to your fellowmen for in the eyes of God, HE should be the first ,and the second is our neighbors and/or our fellow beings… thanks heaven that there is such an unselfish neighbor as you are! Kudos!
Alles gute von Mom.

Mom, I think they served us more than we were able to serve them. Their home became our “evacuation center” and they also helped us clean up the mess in our home. We’re slowly getting there and rebuilding our lives. Thanks for your support. Love you.

My heart is breaking over the pictures and letters I have received from the Philippines during this time of great trial. We love you so much and want you to know that our prayers are with you. Continue to take this trial a day and minuet at a time. You’re such a strong woman and you bless so many lives. Continue to move forward helping and lifting others in any way you can. We miss you and our life there. I hope the Lord finds it in His great plan to bring us back there again someday. Remember that we care soooooooo much and will continue to call upon Father to bless you all. Take good care of yourself and your dear family. Till we meet again.

Thank you for your kind words, President Trask. Sometimes it’s hard to live up to others’ expectations that I am a strong woman, because I have moments of weakness when I would just want to shrink and be overcome by overwhelming situations in life. But good friends such as you bear me up. Thank you very much.

So relieved to know by the above story that your alright. Your conscience is without a single piece of selfishness. A heart with compassion to serve. The courage you’ve shown intensify more the desire to help others. Seldom it happens that a victim helps another victim ignoring the possibility of danger even death.

Many decries inaction. But we are expecting that our brethren are sitting down to make plan of actions and contingencies necessary to provide relief to those affected member families. We are duty bound to engage in good cause just like angels around us. Because if no one will, evil becomes triumphant by the end of the day. Oh no there is another super typhoon coming in. Common lets move now.

Aside from other community service projects undertaken, for the past 4 years the Stake have enunciated welfare programs, activities and trainings focus on two things:

First, is taking care of the environment, planting trees, and awareness of the devastating effect of climate change to mother earth.

We even invited resource speakers from DENR, DAR, BFP, PNRC, PIA, ABS-CBN, and other NGO’s to disseminate important information and lectures. All of these are prelude to forthcoming eventualities likely to happen as envisioned by our Prophet. You could even recall our previous program in honor of the Mormon Pioneers in our locality whereby our video presentation includes that of the calamities that devastated our country challenging their faith. But despite of these adversities missionary work and church membership grew at a higher level because the Lord is on our side.

Nevertheless, we ought to be prepared and prayerful as there is no other way to defeat these fortuitous events except by an act of God itself.

My experience last saturday morning when I left for work is really interesting. On my way, heavy rains pounding down the land.I stopped for a while and something emerged from my mind. A clear dictate of thought to go back home. I gave heed to it and I call our office to inform the HRD Manager and my staff that I could not make it. But they seem to laugh at my excuse and told me “so you’ll be absent”.

Floods are starting to rise up as I passed by junction and brookside areas. Another thought prompted me to call back my office located at Roxas boulevard to warned them of the floods and continuous rainfall. They again laugh and ignored it jokingly said “its just an alibi to justify his leave”.

The following day I look at my celphone with a missed call from my boss. When I called him he said that all of them were stranded in the office because of floods and was able to go home only this morning.

As I reported to work last tuesday, I was told to file an emergency leave instead and one approached me with a soft voice saying “your warning is prophetically true. If only we listened there could have been no worries at all”.

“There’s always a light, a rainbow after the storm.” Thanks you’re all fine now. With all these mess around us, what is important is that we bounced back and ready to move forward again! And with all these difficulties, I saw brave walks, kind hearts, helping hands, healing words. A lot of heroes, loving people emerged!

Cherry as I was watching that through the Filipino channel , my heart really grieve , but I see that we are filipinos are really kind and loving , I saw that aid as broadcast by Kris Aquino and her group were coming through , a lot of them , thanks for letting me know because my heart is really going to the people I know especially in those area , however you did not mention your daughter , where was she , you left her in your house . I know Cherry , these things is happening in many places of the world so I know we are on the right path , it is only Him we should reach out in times of things like this , and of course do the things we need to do like what you did with your son . I am so grateful that whatever problems we have I have a feeling of peace and gratitude for all His loce guidance and protection . I am grateful you are now in a better place . Love you . Mom

I personally thank the Lord for guiding, inspiring and sustaining you and your son as you brave the storm reaching out to others in the spirit of love, genuine concern and acts of unselfishness. Truly, we must develop the spirit of charity, pure love and generosity in this calamitous and perilous times. You guys displayed those Christlike attributes and qualities, and I really admired you both for doing so.

We pray for your safety and well-being, as well as those many hundreds who lost their loved ones and properties caused by the destructive typhoon and massive floodings in many areas down there. My first cousin Carina Andrada (wife of the late Bishop Eugene Andrada of San Mateo Ward), her 3 daughters and housemates were not spared when their 3-storey house submerged in deep waters, and I have not yet received any news from them until now. My earnest and faithful prayers go out to all of them these days. May we all find the courage and peace in these trying times, even as we put our trust in our Heavenly Father who’s mercy, love and graces abound for each of his children. Take good care always……

happy to know that your ok and justin and jessica too. many times we are being tested in so many ways that sometimes we forget our own needs and instead think of others who need help. it is a blessng indeed that you listen to that small voice to go out thinking that others need help and because of your unselfishness to do something for others, you did not realize that he guided you to a safer place. Really, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ works in many mysterious ways. we just have to be sensitive and ready to do it. i know that you will be bless for the things you have done to others and for magnifying your calling. things you lost can be replace hundred fold just like what happen to Job. but the love, care, sacrifice and the will to do something for others will never be forgotten.